The Yellow Raincoat

PRESENT

“Don’t do it. Please.” Tied to the ground sobbing.

PAST

“Hey Mom, I am going to get veggies from the store. Do you require anything else?”

“No dear. Be careful and come soon the weather doesn’t look right.”

“I will be back in lightning speed.” I lift the blue carry bag on my shoulders that is kept on the dining table and wear my slippers, sliding the door open and walking towards the store.

As I enter the store, I pick up things quickly before the rain starts gushing down. As I check out, I peep out of the door and see that it has started raining like cats and dogs. I hit my hand on my head as I forgot to carry an umbrella or raincoat along with me and do not have that much cash to spare on an unwanted expense. I come out of the store and stand close to the store protecting myself from getting wet. My phone starts ringing with mom’s name flashing on the screen.

“Where are you, Diana? It’s raining heavily.”

“Mom, I am stuck out of the store and I forgot to get an umbrella or raincoat along with me. I was thinking to walk anyway but there are a lot of puddles on the way.”

“I am coming right away.”

“No, No… I will call a cab.”

“Are you sure? Do you have that much cash?”

“Yes, mom.” Cutting the call and opening the online app for booking a cab.

As I scroll the app I find that there are no cabs located in our area due to heavy rains. I stand looking at the app disappointed when road water splashes on me drenching me completely. I look on top angrily and yell at the car passing by.

The car stops and comes back in reverse where I am standing pulling the window down. I look inside the car where I see a man driving who looks in his mid 30’s.

“I am sorry. I didn’t intend to splash the water on you. You see…”

My anger takes over, cut him and say, “You still splashed. I am completely drenched because of you.”

“I am sorry once again. I will give you a lift as my gesture. Hop in.”

“I don’t go with strangers. Just leave.” Annoyed.

“My name is Ivan Hudson and I am the owner of a real estate company. Now you know me and we are no longer stranger.” Passing a smile.

I smirk at him and say, “Very funny.”

“Are you coming or not? My car seat is getting soaked up with the rain.”

“I didn’t tell you to wait. I am not coming with you.”

“As you like.” Turning back grabbed a yellow raincoat from the back seat and handed it over to her.

“What is the use of the raincoat. I am already drenched. Keep the raincoat for yourself”

I stand straight seeing him go and I clean the road water from my face and hand. As I stand I again see his car coming in reverse and stopping next to me.

“I am not bad as you think.” Throwing the yellow raincoat towards me and he drives from there.

I wear the raincoat and reach home.

“I was worried about you? You are drenched. Go take a hot shower.”

I keep the yellow raincoat out and walk towards the washroom when mom asks, “From where did you get the raincoat? Did you waste money on this thing?”

“I will tell you after a quick shower.” Annoyed.

I have a quick shower wearing my warm woolen gown and go to the kitchen to grab myself a hot bowl of soup. I sit on the couch and have the soup looking at the yellow raincoat.

“What is it, honey?”

“While I was waiting outside trying to book a cab this guy splashed road water over me as he was driving fast. He is the one who gave me the raincoat.”

“Oh, was he handsome?” Mom winks at me.

I look at her irritated and say, “Yes he did but I don’t like him.”

Mom laughing. “He looks caring giving you the raincoat and also waiting for you to reach home.”

“What?”

“Was his car a black Aston Martin?”

“Yes, but…” Confused.

“Well looks like he followed you till you reach home and you didn’t realize it.”

“But he left by giving me the raincoat.”

“No clue, I saw the car as I was looking out for you through the window.”

Confused with all that mom is saying, I get up from the couch, place the bowl in the kitchen sink, and go to the bedroom lying on the bed wrapping myself with the cozy blanket.

PAST

The next day, I woke up to the bright cheerful chirping sound of the birds. I quickly freshen up, wear my jogging suit and go for a quick run. I sit on the chair after a few minutes of running, sipping the cold water from my bottle. I notice a man looking at me from far. I quickly get up and start running towards my home when someone comes suddenly in front of me. I lose my balance and was about to fall when he holds me tightly in his hands. I look at him and notice that it is Ivan.

“What are you doing here? Are you following me?” Straightening up.

“I came here to apologize. Plus I didn’t get sleep thinking about you.”

“Why would you think about me?”

“I don’t have an answer for your question but…” Pauses, “Will you come out with me for dinner today? I will come to pick you up from your house.”

“What? Are you asking me out?” Trying to control my blush.

“Just as friends to know you better.” Smiling at me.

I look at him and start to walk past him without saying an answer, then I turn back and say, “Yes, what time will you come?”

“Will be there by 7 pm.” Getting excited.

Ivan comes on time and meets mom. He drives me to a restaurant nearby. I didn’t know he was this friendly. We speak for hours having our food. I didn't realize how time passed by and it was already midnight. I didn’t receive any call from mom asking about my whereabouts. Weird. As he drops me home, I hand over his yellow raincoat.

“Keep it with you. You look cute in it.”

“But I don’t need it.”

“You will need it sooner or later. I am adamant to keep it with you.” He unbuckles his seat belt comes closer to me and kisses my cheeks. Shivers run down my spine. I blush and go home.

“Are we going to meet again?”

I smile and do not answer his question.

***

We would keep meeting after our first visit and started spending time with each other. We started sharing each and every small detail and it was not too long before he started coming home and spending time with us after his busy schedule.

My mom started noticing all this and was on top of the world with how things were going around. She started taking the topic of marriage in front of us and when Ivan was not around she would force me to marry him. I knew the reason but would ignore her. Ivan started taking care of all our needs and expectations which made my mom relax and she left her job as she had nothing to worry about.

***

Finally, the day arrived Ivan and I got married. And we started staying in his bungalow along with my mom. We were having a great time and enjoying our lives to the fullest. I would have never imagined that I would be living such a posh life. But after one incident things changed.

PRESENT

Please, let us go.

“Ivan, wake up. I need you.” Trying to wake him up as he is fallen unconscious because of a hard hit on his head. “We are not giving you what you want. You can do anything.”

“Oh my baby girl, I will take what I want. I didn’t make you marry Ivan for the sake of love. I made you marry him for his money. I am done living a regular life. And I am not allowing it to slide from my hand by giving it to the orphanage.”

“I am your daughter, How can you?”

“It’s your stupidity. I thought he would make the will on your name and I would later manipulate you to keep it on my name but you…” Hitting Ivan with a metal rod once again.

“Mom, stop it, please. I am ready to sign the papers to have everything in your name. Just leave us alone after that.” Crying hard and trying to wake Ivan, I sign the papers.

Mom turns the pages and draws a big smile on her face. “Diana, you signed the papers. If you had done this before it would have saved you from all this trouble. But I am sorry, I can’t leave you guys, if I leave you both, you will not leave me and I am not ready again for the chase game.” Mom smirks at me. “I need you to know that I always loved you.”

“Ivan please wake up. Please.”

“Oh, Diana, are you so dumb he is already dead, and now it's your turn.”

“He can’t.” I place my hands on his nose to check his breath. He is not breathing. I burst out crying loudly, screaming for help but no one can hear us as mom has tied us in the basement which is soundproof. “You will get caught mom if you kill me.”

Mom starts laughing loud. “Did you think I am dumb? I have already spread it across town that both of you are living the luxury life and settling far away from here where no one knows you by keeping the property and business for me to handle.”

I look at her with a blank face thinking to myself if she really is my mom.

My mom takes the iron rod and bangs.